When things cast no shadow

In a supportive article covering the 4th Berlin Biennial, critic Steven Henry Madoff took a moment to question what many have termed "Biennial Fever," writing, "Are biennials] here to capture trends or to advance artists' voices in a larger social dialogue? Do they promote international understanding or local interests? Are they bully pulpits for curators turned ideologues, or are they simply there to tap the art market's stopwatch till the next survey of hot new things draws the attention of an ever expanding universe of collectors?" For the 2008 edition of this always-provocative international fair, Curators Adam Szymczyk and Elena Filipovic brought together primarily newly commissioned work by 50 emerging and established international artists for a round-the-clock exhibition that included 63 nightly events. This expansive volume documents it all, and contains contributions by writers, critics and artists including Beatriz Colomina, Bettina Viesmann, Cameron Jamie, Gabriel Kuri, Babette Mangolte, Ahmet g t and Katerina Seda.